Cyber-bullying: What is the deal?
Northglen News tackles cyber-bullies and provides advice to victims who have been targeted by these new age oppressors.
THE advent of technology and social media have perpetuated and changed the face of bullying. It is no longer limited to classrooms or schoolyards, but can occur anywhere and at any time.
Twitter, has particularly become a social media platform infamous for it’s cyber-bullies. The bullies target both celebrities and every day citizens. Their goal is often to elicit some form of reaction or argument out of their targeted victims.
Cyber-bullying occurs when an individual uses emails, text messages, social media, instant messages or any other form of digital technology to harass, threaten, or humiliate another individual. Unlike traditional bullying, cyber-bullying, doesn’t involve physical torture or face-to-face contact and it isn’t limited to a handful of witnesses. The interconnectivity of digital technology and the fact that digital media can easily be forwarded to dozens of contacts often result in a massive ‘audience’.
What makes cyber-bullying particularly devastating is the fact that technology enables the bully, to torture his or her victim 24 hours a day. In many instances the victim reaches a state where he or she no longer feels safe, not even in his or her own home.
Almost anyone, with access to digital technologies, can become a cyber-bully. Technology also provides the bullies with anonymity, as they can easily create fake profiles or usernames. Some brazen bullies don’t care if their identity is known, and can revel in the fear and/or popularity they gain from their bullying tactics.
Cyber-bullies can use a variety of tactics, depending on the type of digital technologies that are at their disposal. While some involve sending threatening or taunting messages via email, text, or instant messages, other involve to hacking an email account or stealing and impersonating an online identity to hurt and humiliate the victim. Some cyber-bullies may even create a website or social media page designed to target the victim.
People who are subjected to cyber-bullying often experience devastating and long-lasting effects. In addition to feeling humiliated and angry, they can also feel trapped, depressed, and even suicidal.
How to deal with cyber-bullying:
1. The three most important steps to remember is, talk, report and support. Don’t stay quiet about it. By reporting it to your parents, a trusted teacher or other people with authority they can help put a stop to the bullying. Talking about it with others can also help the victims, as they no longer feel isolated and alone. That is why is important to support someone who has been a victim.
2. Save evidence of the cyber-bullying. Victims should keep a screenshot or save the messages so that they can provide them as proof when they report the bullying. In many cases, the cyber-bully’s actions can be prosecuted by law, and the proof will strengthen the case.
3. Block and ignore the bully. It might be difficult, but victims are always encouraged to resist any communication with the bully. By responding to the bully the victim gives him or her the power. The bully wants a reaction out of the victim and wants to know that they are inflicting pain and humiliation, or enticing anger.
4. Do not join in when you come across cyber-bullying. Do not share the an embarrassing or negative message, photo or video that could hurt others. Delete the message or report the post if it is on a site.
